Inaugural Silver Oak Jumper Tournament Gets Top NARG Ranking

Halifax, MA - February 7, 2014 - The Silver Oak Jumper Tournament, which met with rave reviews from competitors across the country was rewarded for its first year efforts with a top ranking from the NARG, the North American Riders Group, at their annual meeting this week in Wellington, Florida. Silver Oak came in as the 13th ranked best horse show in North America.

The NARG report stated, "Hats off to Silver Oak Jumper Tournament Chairman Jeffrey Papows and his team, including Show Manager Mike Belisle, for producing a fantastic event. With a widespread focus on riders, horses, sponsors and spectators, they truly went overboard in this inaugural year."

"We're thrilled that NARG recognized the effort we put forth to make sure we lived up to our claim of being 'the rider's show,' said Show Chairman Jeff Papows. "It is very rewarding when your hard work is recognized by the best in the sport."

The NARG report continued, "For the horses, they made substantial footing investments as well as having a supply of carrots and apples. The wide span stabling area offered plenty of places to graze. The grass field was a pleasure and the facility had more than enough space to exercise and warm up horses. They constructed an elevated riders tent with leather furniture that was catered around the clock with breakfast and lunch, plus drinks at all ring gates. The concessions from local restaurants were tasty and offered healthy, reasonably-priced options. The prize giving ceremonies included beautiful ribbons, sashes, trophies and custom embroidered jackets for Champion and Reserve. Grand Prix day was gorgeous and welcomed thousands of spectators."

"We also commend the innovative efforts," the report also stated, "including a Q&A session with the Grand Prix riders available to the Amateur and young riders. A live band added to the weekend atmosphere. Another crowd pleaser was the moped raffle, where each Championship winner received a key, but only one started the moped. A financial incentive is always a plus, and Silver Oak offered the $25,000 Boston Strong Rider Bonus."

Papows also pointed out, "We appreciate the great accolades. As it turned out, had we offered FEI classes, we would have been in the top eight in the rankings." Papows was responding to the report that noted, "We hope that in years to come the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament will offer FEI classes."

The Silver Oak Jumper Tournament, despite those high rankings for their show at the Silver Oak Equestrian Center is making a bold move to the Fieldstone Show Park in Halifax, Massachusetts. This year's show will run from August 13 - 17, 2014.

The venue at Fieldstone is just 64 miles south of the New Hampshire location. "For the 2014 season, with the help of a new investor at Fieldstone, I can more directly influence truly quality jumping surfaces in both the grass Grand Prix field and the Jumper II all-weather annex," Papows added. "We have a vision for the Halifax facility. We see a show grounds aspiring to emulate elements from Spruce Meadows here on the East Coast. Not a bad thing to aspire to, but it requires big investments and attention to detail. I have seen plans for improvements to what was already a better-prepared property in 2013. That work is underway now," he noted. "I'm very excited about the move."

Spruce Meadows, by the way, continued its reign at the top of the NARG rankings.

The NARG report concluded, "Seems the Silver Oak Jumper Tournament is gearing up to be all that NARG seeks in a superior event, and we look forward to year two."

The inaugural Silver Oak Jumper Tournament, a unique "boutique Jumper only" show ran true to their mission statement as "the rider's horse show. "I ensure you my efforts will continue to be differentiated by the quality of details competitors enjoyed last year and more," Papows concluded. "No effort will be spared and our riders will enjoy an even more unique experience in 2014."

See you at the Fieldstone Show Park in Halifax, Massachusetts, from August 13 - 17, 2014.